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My First Aquarium!

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Hey everybody! I am 100% newbie. On Tuesday night I purchased my very first aquarium and am extremely excited (and also intimidated!)!. I purchased the Top Fin 55 Gallon Aquarium Starter Kit. It came with the Top Fin 60 Power Filter and a 200-watt UL heater, along with two lighted hoods and some other startup goodies. I am currently doing a fishless cycle (as recommended by a friend at a local tropical fish store). He recommended that I use 30 ml of API Stress Zyme+ once a day for three days and then bring him a water sample. I just wanted to introduce myself and get some input on this cycling method and also some constructive criticism on my filter and heater. Thank you all and I look forward to making this forum a second home!!

You will get a lot comments on your filter and/or heater if you ask about that in a new thread in the correct section of the forum.

If you take your time to do the research FIRST, you can successfully set-up and keep ANY type of aquarium with ease."Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony CalfoFishless CycleCycling with FishMarine Aquarium Info [URL="http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/"]

Welcome to the AC. Make sure you are adding some ammonia source, not just the API stress-zyme. There is a great sticky on this forum regarding fishless cycling, but you still must have an ammonia source. I recommend pure ammonia from somewhere like Ace Hardware. It doesn't contain surfactants and detergents like some others might. Also, if you don't already have one, pick up a good liquid test kit that can test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. That way, you can see yourself how your cycle is progressing.